‘John Gray Swim Club’ is the latest addition under the Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association banner. Leading the charge for the new team is Ryan Mushin who is currently the Senior Swimming Instructor with the Department of Sports.
With John Gray now being established under CIASA as of Monday (November 15), swimmers competing for the club will now be eligible to set national and CIASA records.
They will also have the opportunity to qualify for regional and international meets like the CARIFTA Swimming Championships.
While being established under CIASA offers its perks, Mushin has always trained students from John Gray at the Lions Aquatic Centre. In fact, he has taken several John Gray swimming enthusiasts to participate at competitions in Cayman Brac and even Jamaica.
“We have a great learning swim program here at the Department of Sports,” Mushin said. “We’re looking forward to getting something going in the eastern districts because there is a lot of need up there.”
For years, aquatics within the country has been criticised for the lack of Caymanian involvement, despite being recognised as a Focus Sport by the Cayman Islands Government.
When asked if the priority to bring as much Caymanians as possible into the club, Mushin responded “absolutely.”
Mushin has worked with swimmers from government schools since 2013, organising the Inter-Primary Swim Meet and the High School Swimming Gala over the years.
However, the former coach at Team Santa Monica, California has built a special bond with students coming from the capital’s high school.
“It is great to see the local kids competing in there and doing really well… and I love working with John Gray… it’s amazing.”
The new team currently only consist of two swimmers: Caymanian sisters, Krystal Campbell, 11, and Daniela Campbell, 14. The duo recently competed during the Mike Lockwood Memorial swim meet in sprint events on November 20-21.
With the swim season just beginning, Mushin said he will be recruiting swimmers in the coming weeks.
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